Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Project development

Engineering process | Planning

Historic Roadside Properties and Waysides

Purpose

Historic Roadside Properties and Waysides (HRPW, Historic Roadside Properties, Waysides) are a subset of Safety Rest Areas (SRAs, Rest Areas) with a few exceptions. MnDOT’s HRPW program objective is to protect and preserve historic roadside properties, waysides, and roadside structures within the right of way, in accordance with state and federal laws.

These properties, commonly called waysides, provide safety and travel services to motorists as an essential part of the state highway system. They also serve economic development through tourism by promoting local points of scenic beauty and marking historic and geologic points of interest by providing a place to stop. They are valued by their local communities. They may also be historic properties when listed on, or identified as eligible for, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP, National Register).

Unlike other rest areas, HRPW properties:

  • do not typically serve trucking and oversize vehicles
  • are not typically on the Interstate Highway System
  • do not follow SRA spacing goals, as they may occur wherever a point of interest or importance exists
  • do not typically have rest room facilities

HRPWs serve safety functions by providing travelers a safe place to stop, rest, and catch a view, take a photo, or learn about the local area. This can reduce drowsy and distracted driving, promoting safe driving behavior.

There are two main groups of properties in the HRPW program. Each type has different needs and processes for each group. 

  1. Historic Roadside Properties are those that have been listed on the National Register, are contributing to a National Register Listed Historic District, or are eligible for inclusion in the National Register either individually or as part of a National Register-eligible historic district.

State and Federal Laws require State Agencies to avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse effects to historic properties, just like laws protect wetlands. If avoidance is not possible, minimizing impacts is required. If that is also not possible (and thoroughly documented) mitigation may be worked out in the consultation with the Cultural Resources Unit (CRU), State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and multiple other consulting parties (depending on the project context). Consultation, led by the CRU, is a long process which costs a lot of time and money to complete.

Avoiding impacts is the fastest and most desirable approach to working with historic roadside properties. Developing concepts early in design that avoid impacts is extremely important.

HRPW staff can help project managers to develop concepts to avoid impacts to historic roadside properties. HRPW staff are technical experts in design and preservation of historic roadside properties.

  • Funding source determines what type of formal review process will be required during environmental review. Federal funding treats Listed and Eligible properties the same. State or local funding does not require the same process. See the Environmental Document Decision Tree and CRU pages for more information. 
  1. Waysides are Class IV Rest Areas which do not meet historic property thresholds (see the SRA page for rest area classifications). Some have been evaluated for historic significance, but many have not. Some may have structures on them over 50 years old, some may have no structures at all. The HRPW program works to ensure these waysides are safe, accessible, and in good condition for their intended use by the public. Structures, like historic markers which are not designated as historic properties, are still of value to local communities. They should be sensitively repaired and preserved as funding is available.

Historic Roadside Properties do not include:

  • Historic Bridges (unless they are construction associated with a historic wayside-within the boundary of the historic property). Historic Bridges are managed under a separate program.
  •  Historic Highways—these are actual highway segments that have been determined historic. There is no defined program managing these.
  • Historic buildings or properties not in/on the right of way. Typically, these are not associated with the transportation system.

When to use this subject

It is important to engage the MnDOT Historic Roadside Property and Waysides Program Manager early in the project planning and scoping phase and all the way through design and construction when a project:

  • Directly or indirectly impacts an existing Historic Roadside Property or Class IV Wayside by
    • being on the same control section, or
    • within the viewshed of a known HRP
  • Involves construction of a new wayside, scenic overlook, historic, or geologic marker
  • Involves permanent closure or abandonment of an HRPW
  • Changes an SRA to remove or permanently close rest room facilities, which then changes it to a Class IV Rest Area, and becomes a wayside in the HRPW program
  • Involves turning back, conveyance, or sale of a roadway or property on which a HRPW is located

When a historic roadside property is within a project area, early involvement of HRPW staff before a preferred concept is developed and before the environmental review process is important. The goal is to develop concepts that will avoid impacts to historic roadside properties. Involving HRPW staff can also identify scope items and project needs before designs are too advanced and budgets are fixed. This can keep the project on schedule and budget.

Waysides which are not historic should be included in roadway construction project budgets to ensure they are safe and in good condition. HRPW staff can review and recommend improvements to these for inclusion in district project scopes. 

How this subject fits into the overall project development process

Planning and Scoping

Involve the HRPW Program Manager early in the planning and scoping phases to understand impacts to project scope and funding. HRPW projects must comply with numerous federal and state laws, codes, regulations, and design criteria, many of which apply solely to these types of facilities, requiring specialized knowledge and expertise. 

These facilities require the same level of planning, environmental documentation, and public involvement as required for other highway construction projects. HRPW staff are licensed landscape architects (licensure for landscape architects is similar to licensure for engineers) and technical experts in site design. HRPW staff work closely with ADA and Active Transportation planning groups in scoping.

In addition, properties eligible and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) may require state and/or federal Section 106 review and 4(f) determination. Work with the HRPW manager is in addition to working with the Cultural Resource Unit (CRU) in scoping and project development.

The HRPW Program Manager is the asset manager and acts like an “owner” standing in for the historic property and should be involved in early development of concept alternatives with the goal of avoiding or minimizing potential effects to the historic property. The HRPW Program Manager is a designer with expertise on the preservation of HRPs and landscape architecture—design of places where people get out of their cars, not the roadway itself.

Preliminary Design

Once scoping has started, concept development should include meeting and review with the HRPW program manager to ensure potential effects to HRPWs are considered fully before a preferred concept is identified (which is required under state and federal laws).

After a preferred concept is identified, the HRPW Program Manager will continue to advise and collaborate with the project manager to avoid and minimize potential effects to the historic property. Once the environmental review process begins, the CRU conducts reviews required under state and federal laws related to cultural resources and historic properties.

Environmental Review

The role of HRPW staff in environmental review is as “owner” and technical experts in site design. In contrast, CRU staff lead the regulatory review role in the environmental review process. They facilitate the evaluation and determination of effects after the concepts have been developed and preliminary vetting has taken place.

Final Design

During design development, the HRPW Program Manager (sometimes with the addition of a specially qualified Historic Architect) can assist with or review the design, focusing on meeting the Secretary of Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The CRU will continue to facilitate reviews and coordination with the MnSHPO and FHWA as part of the environmental review process.

Construction

This collaboration with the HRPW Program Manager continues into construction. When an HRP is under construction, the HRPW Program Manager, with a consulting Historic Architect, will work with the project manager to approve submittals and mock-up installations for historic components to ensure they meet the final appearance goals set out in consultation with CRU/SHPO.

Operations and Maintenance

The HRPW program is involved in operations issues and decisions for HRPs and waysides using technical expertise on preservation and landscape architecture to ensure special features are preserved and maintained. Special features not typically found on a roadway are the features for people to stop at during their travel. They include site features like historic markers, seating, and designed plantings. The HRPW program coordinates with other MnDOT programs and the community to provide maintenance support. These include the Adopt a Rest Area, Sponsorship, and Community Landscape Partnership programs.

Since most HRPWs are Class IV Rest Areas, the Rest Area Policy on seasonal use applies to HRPWs. Class IV Rest Areas are only open seasonally—spring through fall. Winter closure is preferred in most cases and especially at Historic Properties to preserve the property. Rest area hours and rules are also sometimes posted at HRPWs to aid in appropriate use. HRPW staff should be involved in the placement of any new signs in a HRPW. 

Maintenance and repairs to HRPWs are generally the responsibility of the District. HRPW setaside funding is only for capital improvements. However, any damage to an HRPW should be immediately reported to the HRPW Program Manager. Repairs to eligible or listed historic properties must follow the specific standards and use specific materials and methods to ensure the property continues to hold its historic significance. Repairs to historic features can typically be worked into HRP funding as a rehabilitation project.

Organizations involved